Mikhail Yurevich, the former Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region, has been charged with taking a bribe and subornation of perjury, reported the Investigative Committee.

Earlier, it had been reported that the former Head of the region was involved in a criminal case over corruption. According to the investigation, the ex-Governor would regularly receive bribes from his then subordinate, former Health Minister of the region Vyacheslav Teslenko. The total value of the bribes amounted to 26 million rubles ($250.000).

In addition, according to investigators, Yurevich incited Oleg Grachev, who was his first deputy, to spread slander concerning the actions of the Chairman of the Chelyabinsk Regional Court shown in December 2012.

The ICR clarified that Yurevich did not show up for the interrogation saying he was in Israel. However, unless the ex-governor returns to Russia soon, he will be put on the wanted list, stressed the ICR.